Chapter 588
According to the system, the rewards from the Old Days depend on what Xia Er did during that time... In other words, the first-tier "Recorder" and "Fictioner" already count as rewards from the Old Days.
This time, Xia Er's influence in the Old Days was minimal; the organization she created didn't even make a ripple in reality.
If Hei Ni hadn't diligently fulfilled her promise to Xia Er, she might not even have the first-tier abilities of "Recorder" and "Fictioner."
Xia Er opened the interface for the simulation of the future, and the simulated date was still July 28... If this was a destined death, it meant that Xia Er's actions in the Old Days had no impact on that fate.
At this rate, Xia Er would definitely be unable to confront Sadana...
Now, in Xia Er's mind, the two flames symbolizing the altars had begun to transform into a silvery blaze, indicating that two altars had been activated... Xia Er could enter the next Old Day at any moment.
But she couldn't just dive into the Old Days like that.
Last time, Xia Er had entered the Old Days in nearly the best mental state, yet she still left no mark there.
Now, although she had a better plan, to do better in the Old Days, she needed to restore her mind to its optimal state... At the very least, she had to suppress the countless prayers that were still echoing in her mind.
If she allowed those accumulated prayers to continue resonating in her head, Xia Er had no doubt that she would be driven mad by those voices.
Right now, she had to find Ai Wei Na quickly and ask her to help seal away those prayers, so they wouldn't keep ringing in her mind.
Xia Er rushed to Ai Wei Na's residence, nearly bursting through the door.
A maid on night duty was startled by the sudden entrance, but upon recognizing Xia Er, she refrained from screaming.
"Miss Xia Er, what brings you here...?" the maid hurriedly approached, whispering, "Is something wrong?"
"Ai Wei Na... is she here?" Xia Er asked, her voice a bit hoarse.
"Yes, Miss Ai Wei Na is in her room..."
Before the maid could finish, Xia Er had already dashed upstairs.
Niya, who had heard the commotion, quickly reacted and rushed out of her room, but upon seeing it was Xia Er, she merely watched her head toward Ai Wei Na's room before returning to her own.
"Ha..."
After closing the door behind her, Xia Er turned to look at Ai Wei Na, who was lying on the bed.
At that moment, Ai Wei Na seemed unaware of anyone entering her room. She appeared to be having a nightmare, her eyes tightly shut and her brow slightly furrowed.
Since Xia Er had disappeared, Ai Wei Na had been searching for her with others, and only after scouring every possible place until late at night did she finally choose to rest for just an hour.
Ai Wei Na hadn't even changed her clothes; she was sprawled on the bed, shoes still on... Clearly exhausted.
"Ai Wei Na..."
Xia Er sat on the edge of the bed and softly called out.
The moment Xia Er spoke, Ai Wei Na's long eyelashes fluttered slightly. She opened her eyes, a bit dazed, and her gaze gradually focused on Xia Er sitting beside her.
Ai Wei Na stared at Xia Er for over ten seconds, and once she confirmed that this wasn't a dream, she gently pressed her lips together, lay back down, and buried her face in the blanket, seemingly unwilling to see the Xia Er who had left without a word.
But just a second later, before Xia Er could explain anything, Ai Wei Na pushed herself up.
She pressed down on Xia Er's shoulders, forcing her back onto the bed, and then turned to sit on top of her.
"Look at me."
Ai Wei Na said coldly, and Xia Er could already see the glimmer of tears in her eyes.
Xia Er bit her lip, gazing at Ai Wei Na, and as Ai Wei Na's eyes began to glow with a faint purple light, Xia Er felt the noise in her mind gradually quieting down.
Xia Er slipped into a brief slumber, and in that moment, she seemed to see her subconscious radiating a purple glow, wrapping the red flames around her and sealing them deep within the sea of consciousness.
It wasn't until the first light of dawn began to break that Xia Er returned to her senses from that strange yet comforting feeling.
She felt the prayers of the followers fading from her mind; if she concentrated, she could still sense a faint whisper.
These voices had become so small, as if something had pressed them down.
Moreover, Xia Er sensed that the mental pollution from her encounters with darkness and the corpse of Moros in the Old Days had diminished significantly... It seemed that this mental pollution had been shared.
Xia Er had experienced this before; when she was affected by the Otherworld, it was Ai Wei Na who had forcefully shared the burden of that mental pollution with her...
Ai Wei Na...
Xia Er quickly sat up, scanning her surroundings, but found no one there. It was as if, in retaliation, Ai Wei Na's presence had vanished without a trace.
A pang of guilt tugged at Xia Er's heart.
She knew she owed Ai Wei Na too much; not only had she failed to spend quality time with her, but she often disappeared without a word... Every time she sought out Ai Wei Na, it was usually for something troubling, or even a request.
In the simulation, she had spent a long time with Ai Wei Na... but that was just a simulation. Even if she had accompanied Ai Wei Na for years in that realm, the real Ai Wei Na could not feel it.
"Ai Wei Na?"
Xia Er quickly got up and headed for the door when a cold voice rang out behind her.
"Not feeling so great, are you?" Ai Wei Na's voice came from the bed.
Xia Er spun around, and there was Ai Wei Na, leaning against the headboard. Her expression was icy, and she had never truly left Xia Er's side.
This was likely the ability of a "psychologist." Ai Wei Na had used her power to psychologically suggest to Xia Er, making her subconsciously forget that she was sitting there, achieving an effect of invisibility.
It was only when Ai Wei Na spoke that this subconscious suggestion was broken.
"Ai Wei Na... I..."
Xia Er began to say something, but Ai Wei Na interrupted her.
"Save the apologies," Ai Wei Na averted her gaze to the window. "I know how terrifying things can be... It was my emotions that got the better of me."
In a daze, Xia Er seemed to see that little girl from nine years ago, who wanted her father's company but was too considerate to disturb him, the one who was so understanding it broke one's heart.
All these years later, Ai Wei Na had become rebellious, but her true nature had never changed.
"I..." After a few seconds of silence, Xia Er continued, "I had a dream."
Ai Wei Na remained silent, and Xia Er went on, "I dreamed of a seven-year-old girl. She was very well-behaved, had a close friend, and a father who was always too busy to spend time with her..."
Xia Er spoke slowly, as if recounting an unrelated story, detailing some aspects of the simulation.
She knew that if she spoke about these things directly, it might lead to something unpleasant, but she decided to take her time and weave the narrative.
As Xia Er spoke, Ai Wei Na's expression gradually shifted to one of surprise. She slowly turned her head to look at Xia Er, quietly listening to her "story."
After a long pause following the end of the tale, Ai Wei Na finally asked, "What happened next? What became of that little girl?"
"I don't know," Xia Er shook her head. "I can't always dream of people."
"Is it... those voices?" Ai Wei Na looked at Xia Er, inquiring.
If anyone could understand what Xia Er was going through, it was Ai Wei Na, who had been sharing the burden of that mental pollution.
"Sort of," Xia Er nodded.
"Then... did you wake up from the dream?" Ai Wei Na continued to ask.
"..." Xia Er remained silent, the answer was clear.
She couldn't afford to waste any more time; the activation of the altar could fade at any moment, and she needed to quickly plan for the next Old Day.
Xia Er slowly stood up and said, "I have to go, Ai Wei Na..."
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